EAST LANSING - Tom Izzo has a better feel for the roles he can ask members of his basketball team to play following games against Northwood (Fla.) University and St. Cloud State University.

But the Michigan State basketball coach had hoped for more carry over from practice into games than he saw during his team's two exhibition games this week.

"I'm disappointed in how we played compared to how we practice, but it is what it is," said Izzo, following a 62-49 win over St. Cloud State on Friday Night. "We're just going to have to do some work."

Senior center Derrick Nix and junior point guard Keith Appling led the Spartans in scoring with 14 and 13 points respectively. The former Detroit Pershing teammates shot a combined 10-of-19 from the floor. Adreian Payne recorded a double double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Cramps hindered the effectiveness of freshman guard Gary Harris in the second half. But the McDonald's All-American still managed to reach double figures in scoring with 11 points.

Sophomore Brandan Kearney did not play against St. Cloud State. Kearney has an abdominal strain. Michigan State was also without the services of prized freshman big manMatt Costello, who is recovering from a bruised lower back.

Izzo hopes to have both players back for the season opener against UConn next weekend. But he is uncertain whether either will be ready to go.

"Costello really took a nasty fall," Izzo said. "He is getting better, but you saw him limping out there. He's got a bad, bad bruise. Nothing that is going to require anything but time."